We use so many cloud and network based systems now, the number of passwords just for work has grown to nearly two dozen. Add the accounts I use for managing my families personal affairs and devices ("What password did I settle on for the XBox?"), plus media sites for research, social sites, etc, and the number is literally close to 100 sites that have passwords. I need a spreadsheet (encrypted, but probably not unhackable) to keep track of it all. Can't wait till Bill Gates prediction comes true.

Sounds like I just need a better class of user if you know some that can remember 12. My users just can't even keep up with this one AD password, which automatically syncs with their Lotus Notes account. :-) So the current system is most of them have it written down on their desk somewhere, which is at least effective to keep remote hackers out. And keeping me and my admin resetting passwords frequently.

To make things worse, Corp has recently started a new policy of locking the AD account if you guess wrong 5 times. That's just inspired real joy in the user community. They screwed something up on that policy last week and managed to lock out everyone across globe who even tried to sign on with correct password. The next IT satisfaction survey won't be pretty. :-)

These systems aren't perfect and won't cover every eventuality, but there are a number of them to choose from. Think about it: If you take a user from having to remember 12 complex passwords to having to remember three or four (the pw manager and noncompatible systems) that's a huge improvement. Plus, some offer niceties like two-factor authentication.

I obviously know nothing about this kind of software but seems like it would have to integrate with a lot of stuff to work without an admin, which I was jokingly hinting at. For example, our Active Directory password has to change every 90 days. It would have to capture that to be effective. And remember what previous password(s) were because sometimes users have an old password cached locally on PC because they haven't signed on to domain in awhile. This is particular problem with outside sales guys and people who borrow loaner laptop/tablet for travel when they have desktops.

Check out an idea from cartoonist John Klossner. It might not totally solve your problem, but I guarantee it will put a smile on your face. Cartoon: Forgot Password? Click here. (Paste url into your browser)

An officially sanctioned password manager, with training, may be the answer here. Given BYOD and that SSO seems to be a pipe dream, IT has to try something. What's the downside of rolling out a password manager?

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